Seven More People in Indonesia Detained for Treason

Since the complaint submitted to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and UN Special Rapporteurs by Jennifer Robinson and Veronica Koman with the support of TAPOL on 15th April 2020, seven more people have been detained on treason charges in Indonesia. 

On 25th April 2020, more than a hundred people participated in a peaceful rally commemorating the declaration of the South Moluccan Republic seventy years ago. As a result, at least 23 people were arrested on that day. Most of them were released except seven people detailed below.

Three people marched into the Maluku regional police headquarters in Ambon at around 3.45 pm while carrying a large Benang Raja flag and shouting “Mena Muria”. They are currently detained at Maluku regional police detention centre and have been charged with Articles 106, 110 and 160 of the Criminal Code:

Simon Viktor Taihitu, born 29th October 1963;

Abner Litamahuputy, born 25th January 1976, who had been imprisoned previously for his political activities

Janes Pattiasina, born 9th December 1968.

The four others are detained at Ambon police resort detention centre and have been charged with Article 106 of the Criminal Code. Their heads were shaved.

Derek Taihuttu, born on 28th October 1961. Taihuttu, a farmer, was arrested at 2 am and has been charged with Article 106 of the Criminal Code. Police arrested him based on the information provided by MS who had been arrested earlier that day for posting a photo with a Benang Raja flag on Facebook. MS told police that the instruction came from Derek Taihuttu.

Constantinus Siahaja, born on 25th May 1987. The farmer was arrested at around 4 am when he was asleep in Sidang Allah church in Hulaliu and has since been charged with Article 106 of the Criminal Code. Police arrested him based on the information provided by Derek Taihuttu that he kept a Benang Raja flag which was given by Derek Taihuttu.

Dominggus Saiya, born on 13th September 1968. He has been charged with Articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code for flying the Benang Raja flag on a flag pole outside his house. 

Agusthinus Matalula, born on 5th August 1963. Police arrested him based on the information provided by Dominggus Saiya that Dominggus Saiya received the Benang Raja flag that he flew outside his house from Agusthinus Matalula. Agusthinus Matatula was given the flag by the late former notorious political prisoner Johan Teterissa. He has been charged with Articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code.